Chapter 601: Chang Geng Confronts Wen Jing, Stubborn Stone Appears in East Continent

In the main hall of Ling Shan, Li Changshou, sitting near the entrance, pondered inwardly: "Has Wen Jing gone too far this time?" He subtly activated his empty and clear Dao heart to suppress the turbulent thoughts in his mind.

After all, he was in the presence of the Saint Jieyin; it was better to be safe and avoid random thoughts.

What if the Saint Jieyin had some mind-reading abilities?

...Well, that was unlikely. If the Saint Jieyin could truly see through a cultivator's Dao heart, Wen Jing would not have survived until now.

The so-called insight into human hearts often came from having an extremely detailed understanding of someone's temperament, character, and past experiences, allowing one to infer their inner thoughts.

This was essentially "experience is king."

The power of a saint lay in their realm and their level of existence.

When Wen Jing's cave dwelling was exposed, Li Changshou had secretly observed through a paper effigy hidden among the heavenly generals. He found that Wen Jing...

Had decent taste. Her dwelling featured mountains and water, simple, elegant, and subtly revealing her personal style.

However, when surrounded by Jin Peng and the heavenly generals, she appeared quite overbearing.

The powerful Kong Xuan of the Phoenix clan and the fierce Wen Jing of the Blood Sea—Li Changshou suddenly realized that these two prominent figures were both strikingly beautiful and deeply infatuated with the Grand Mage, yet they themselves were quite "dominant."

Ah, well, given the situation, all he could do was offer his blessings to the Grand Mage.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Li Changshou quickly decided on the most prudent plan.

Once Wen Jing arrived, he would make her wait.

Let her stand outside the hall for a while, until the heavenly soldiers and generals had largely cleared out the vicious beasts and demons. Then, he would call her in, give her a chance to explain herself, and preserve enough face for Western Teachings.

They couldn't just kill off the beasts and demons and leave Western Teachings utterly humiliated—that would only push the saints into a rage born of embarrassment.

As he thought this, Wen Jing was already brought to the entrance of the hall by Jin Peng.

Her primordial spirit was sealed, adding a touch of vulnerability to her demeanor.

Jin Peng bowed his head and clasped his fists, announcing loudly:

"Teacher, this vicious beast is from the Blood Sea mosquito clan, and her power is formidable."

Without turning around, Li Changshou sat there and said:

"In the presence of a saint, one must not be rude.

Around Ling Shan, there are large numbers of demons and vicious beasts lurking, plotting against it. This is an unexpected gain for us—we'll capture them all and take them back to Heaven for trial.

Go now."

"Yes!"

Jin Peng responded, bowed, and swiftly retreated, leaving Wen Jing standing alone and isolated at the hall's entrance.

She remained composed, gazing into the hall with a hint of hesitation, unsure whether to bow to the great saint.

The atmosphere in the Ling Shan hall grew strangely tense.

The saint deep within the hall sat with closed eyes in meditation, the 'old Daoist' at the entrance remained silent, and the 'representative' vicious beast outside stood with unease in her eyes.

This scene could almost be titled...

"Mile."

Li Changshou's provocation had begun with Mile, who was now in hiding and not showing himself, even as the great saint of Western Teachings seemed inclined to protect him.

The senior brother of Ling Shan truly lived up to his reputation.

Li Changshou used his immortal sense to observe Wen Jing's expression, trying to gauge her inner thoughts, but after thinking it over, he couldn't quite figure it out.

If he were in Wen Jing's position, he would probably be focused on how to preserve himself.

It was truly tough for her.

In the Lingxiao Hall, the Jade Emperor in white robes furrowed his brow and opened his eyes, his gaze flickering with wisdom as he pondered deeply.

Why, among all the vicious beasts, had Changgeng singled out Wen Jing?

Could it be?

Suddenly enlightened, he understood everything and made arrangements accordingly.

At the edge of the platform, Mu Gong, who had been observing the Jade Emperor's reactions, immediately asked:

"Your Majesty, is there any concern?"

The Jade Emperor smiled and asked:

"Mu Gong, have you seen the scene at Ling Shan?"

"I have, I have."

The Jade Emperor said slowly:

"Go to Yue Lao's place and check the marital fate of that female vicious beast."

"Your Majesty," Mu Gong was taken aback and whispered, "Shouldn't we consult Her Majesty first?"

"What's there to consult her about?" The Jade Emperor glared at Mu Gong. "I'm just asking you to check, not to do anything else!"

"Yes, this old minister will go at once."

Mu Gong turned and took a couple of steps, then couldn't help but turn back and ask:

"But most vicious beasts are innate spirits, so the Hall of Marital Fate might not have any records."

"Then think of something with Yue Lao," the Jade Emperor waved his hand. "Go quickly and come back soon."

"Ah, this old minister obeys."

Mu Gong acknowledged and hurried away with his head down, flying out of the Lingxiao Treasure Hall towards the Hall of Marital Fate.

The Jade Emperor sat on the high platform, nodding with a smile as he considered the follow-up arrangements.

It was clear that You Qin Xuan Ya had feelings for Changgeng, and they were fellow senior and junior disciples. However, General You Qin was a bit stubborn and inflexible, which didn't match Changgeng's temperament.

The Jade Emperor had already checked at the Hall of Marital Fate—their marital fate involved the woman taking the initiative, but the red thread only wrapped around without knotting.

As Yue Lao had put it, it was a lack of ability to conclude an ambiguous relationship.

The Jade Emperor didn't want to interfere too much.

As for Heng E, the Jade Emperor had looked into it thoroughly. Her union with the great shaman Yi of the ancient Wu clan was a political marriage, right before the decisive battle with the demon court, aimed at stabilizing morale.

After defeating the demon court, the human and Wu clan forces turned on each other. Heng E found herself in an awkward position and was forced by human generals to stay in the Guanghan Palace, swearing never to leave the Taiyin Star.

But Heng E seemed connected to some taboo in the Heavenly Way, making it difficult for the Jade Emperor to act and arrange things for his trusted advisor Changgeng.

He couldn't afford to harm his own loyal subject.

As the Heavenly Emperor, one had to be fair-minded.

As for why he had so much time to arrange these matters... well, there wasn't much for him to do in Heaven.

Unlike a human emperor, he just needed to sit in the Lingxiao Hall, nod at key moments, and exert a bit of Heavenly Way power—there were no specific affairs demanding his attention.

"Your Majesty?"

The Jade Emperor snapped back and said:

"What is it?"

Below, the duty god from Tongming Hall, temporarily handling Thunder Department affairs, smiled and said:

"Your Majesty, after this event, we ministers are truly in awe of Tai Bai Xing Jun and hold him in high regard."

"Oh?" The Jade Emperor perked up. "Why is that?"

This unimportant old immortal chuckled and said:

"Previously, when this old minister observed Changgeng, I saw him as thorough in his actions, mature in handling affairs, always calculating three steps ahead without fail, never delaying opportunities due to overthinking. For tricky problems, he often quickly offers solutions from various angles.

It's just that Tai Bai Xing Jun can be too cautious at times, lacking boldness in major matters. Even when he comes to the Lingxiao Hall for discussions, he hesitates to use his true body.

This old minister sometimes wants to ask Tai Bai Xing Jun: Is there any real danger in Heaven?

As a heavenly official and Your Majesty's most trusted god, could he be ambushed and forced to reincarnate in Heaven?"

Some future pure yang sword immortal would find this quite frustrating.

The old immortal changed his tone and said brightly:

"But I never expected Tai Bai Xing Jun to have such a forceful side!

Step by step, surrounding Ling Shan, facing the saint head-on, first with verbal tactics, then turning the blade on the hidden vicious beasts and demons, catching them off guard!

Pointing out strategies before the Ling Shan hall, remaining unflinching in the saint's presence.

Tai Bai Xing Jun is truly a fierce warrior!

Ahem, this old minister is just rambling—please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"Hey, how could that be rambling? It's a reasonable analysis, though you've got it wrong," the Jade Emperor waved his hand and laughed. "Is he a fierce warrior?

If he were, he would have charged straight into Ling Shan, leaving Western Teachings no way out, capturing all the goblins and monsters in one go, and even rebuking the saint to cripple Western Teachings entirely.

Those two saints wouldn't dare act because everything they do is bound by the Heavenly Way, and their saintly positions are granted by it.

If the situation were reversed, with Taiqing Senior Brother sitting in Ling Shan, it would probably just be a matter of saying 'get out'—who would dare provoke him?

In the end, Changgeng is still seeking stability; that's his nature, unchanging over millennia."

The several old immortals exchanged glances and bowed their heads in respect, admitting they hadn't considered that deeply.

The Jade Emperor laughed:

"Look, Changgeng is about to speak."

They quickly glanced at their palms, while the Jade Emperor closed his eyes to observe the scene directly.

In the Ling Shan hall, after a long silence, Li Changshou finally spoke:

"Senior Uncle, is this vicious demon outside connected to Ling Shan?"

Outside the hall, Wen Jing let out a quiet sigh of relief, as her Dao heart had nearly been thrown into disarray by the flood of good and bad thoughts, leaving her completely unable to see what the Star Lord intended.

Deep in the hall, the Saint Jieyin half-opened his eyes and said slowly:

"She is a protector of Ling Shan."

Li Changshou frowned and asked:

"Why does Ling Shan use demons as protectors?"

Behind Jieyin, a halo of treasure light emerged, his voice ethereal and resonating with the Great Dao:

"All beings are equal; there is no self. Vicious beasts, Wu clan, demons, humans—if they have a heart turned toward goodness, they can all enter our gate."

Li Changshou laughed:

"The true intent of the saint is something a common mortal like me can never comprehend."

Here, he began referring to himself as "this humble god."

The Saint Jieyin said warmly:

"Wen Jing, come in. Whatever you wish to say to Tai Bai Jin Xing, speak freely."

"Yes," Wen Jing bowed her head in acknowledgment, then walked gracefully with measured steps into the hall. She deliberately passed by Li Changshou and took more than ten steps towards the saint before bowing her head in respect.

With a flicker of treasure light from the saint's fingertip, the seal on Wen Jing's primordial spirit dissipated.

"Thank you for the teacher's care."

Wen Jing spoke softly, then turned and bowed slightly to Li Changshou.

"The protector of Ling Shan, Wen Jing, greets Tai Bai Xing Jun."

Li Changshou smiled faintly and said:

"You seem to have harassed my Human Teachings' Du Xian Gate."

Wen Jing replied calmly:

"This poor Daoist does not know of any Du Xian Gate. I was merely cultivating in the mountains and assisting the two teachers with internal affairs of the teachings.

On the contrary, why did Tai Bai Xing Jun start arresting members of Western Teachings without a word?"

Li Changshou frowned:

"Daoist friend, you should choose your words carefully. Are those vicious beasts and demons truly connected to Western Teachings?"

Wen Jing paused briefly, furrowed her brow slightly, then quickly smiled and sighed, reciting the words previously instructed by the two teachers:

"Tai Bai Xing Jun must not be aware of the doctrines of Western Teachings.

Our teachings guide those in suffering, lead the lost, and redeem the wicked, encouraging them towards goodness and granting blessings—this is also a contribution to heaven and earth.

Take this poor Daoist, for example. In the beginning, in the Blood Sea, I was ignorant and committed many killings. The Blood Sea itself is a place where one proves the Dao through slaughter, so how can one speak of right and wrong?

Once I left the Blood Sea, I was fortunate to be enlightened by the two teachers, understanding the true meaning of the Great Dao, distinguishing right from wrong, turning back from the wrong path, accumulating virtue and good deeds. Now, I have cleansed my karmic obstacles.

Tai Bai Xing Jun, the Heavenly Way punishes those with heavy karma, but mine has been cleared to zero—must I still face punishment?"

Li Changshou's brows knitted tightly as he said indifferently:

"According to you, if someone commits karmic sins, they can just offset them with good deeds?"

Wen Jing countered:

"This statement needs to be interpreted from different angles. Xing Jun, you're generalizing too broadly, which might not be appropriate.

The doctrine of Western Teachings is to guide the wicked towards goodness, considering the welfare of all beings in the world and the stability of heaven and earth. It's not about offsetting sins with good deeds.

This poor Daoist dares to ask you one question:

In all your actions, every single one is good, and you've never had a wicked thought?

Or, if you've done something not entirely good, do you just tell yourself it's fine and move on?"

A sharp light flashed in Li Changshou's eyes, his divine authority suddenly surging, empowered by the Heavenly Way.

Wen Jing instinctively stepped back half a pace, her eyes showing a hint of vulnerability, though her lips curved in a faint smile.

Behind her, the saint's pressure manifested, easily countering Li Changshou's divine aura.

In her heart, Wen Jing felt a bit triumphant.

Although starting from the teachings' doctrines was a "task" given by the two teachers, winning a direct exchange against her revered Sea God made her truly satisfied.

However, when Wen Jing saw the thoughtful glint in Li Changshou's eyes, she felt an inexplicable...

Lack of confidence.

Li Changshou quickly adjusted his mindset and laughed:

"Who would have thought Ling Shan harbored such a talented debater?

The two senior uncles have truly found a treasure."

The Saint Jieyin said slowly:

"Does Xing Jun find her words inappropriate?"

"No, not at all—in fact, they're quite reasonable," Li Changshou sighed lightly and smiled. "Actually, this humble god has been pondering this issue as well.

In the Three Realms, Heaven is the center, supported by the underworld, Dragon Palace, and others, with the basic order already formed.

Without rules, nothing can be square. Heaven's heavenly regulations restrain the words and actions of cultivators, preventing the strong from acting recklessly and allowing the weak to live in peace.

The eighteen levels of hell in the underworld have become the Heavenly Way's prison, a place to suppress the wicked."

Pausing, Li Changshou looked at Wen Jing and smiled:

"So, let me ask you, Wen Jing: if Western Teachings' doctrines spread throughout heaven and earth, and a wicked person who has slaughtered beings is pursued by the Heavenly Way, they flee to Western Teachings for refuge.

They claim their sins are grave but they're sincerely turning to goodness—would Western Teachings accept them or not?"

Wen Jing's delicate brows furrowed as she pondered, realizing that no matter how she answered, Tai Bai Xing Jun would follow up with a rebuttal, putting her at a disadvantage.

Wen Jing said:

"Specific matters require specific..."

"In other words, it depends on the person, right?"

Li Changshou narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice light but resounding in Wen Jing's ears like a thunderous drum.

"This humble god has no intention of criticizing Western Teachings' doctrines—that's the work of saints, beyond my comprehension.

But this humble god knows that for Heaven to establish order in the Three Realms, punishing evil and pursuing the wicked is the foundation.

Of course, heavenly regulations allow for compassion. If a former wicked person has made immense contributions to heaven and earth, Heaven isn't unwilling to show mercy, but only if they're properly restrained.

We shouldn't dwell on this today. This time, we've discovered many demons and vicious beasts on Ling Shan, most of whom are inherently wicked with no inclination towards goodness.

Now, most of these beasts have been suppressed by the Heavenly Way. While they're still alive, we can question what they've done.

The two senior uncles are saints and have their own considerations for any oversight in managing their disciples—that's not for us common mortals to speculate.

Senior Uncle, what do you think of this?"

Li Changshou lifted the hem of his Daoist robe, stood up, bowed to Jieyin, and smiled:

"After returning to Heaven, this humble god will report to the Jade Emperor and announce publicly that Ling Shan was attacked by ancient vicious beasts and demons, and Heaven dispatched troops to aid and prevent them from disturbing the saint's presence. How does that sound?"

Jieyin frowned slightly and closed his eyes without speaking.

Li Changshou said no more, bowed to the saint again, glanced at Wen Jing, and smiled:

"This Daoist friend, take good care of yourself."

Wen Jing pursed her lips, her Dao heart trembling slightly, but she forced herself to say:

"Regarding today's events, Western Teachings will certainly take it as a lesson and remember Heaven's kindness."

"That's good," Li Changshou nodded with a smile, stepped back a few paces, then turned and walked away leisurely, holding his dust whisk.

In this exchange, he had reached the fifth level.

Whew...

Once Li Changshou was gone, Wen Jing let out a soft breath, her eyes full of lingering fear.

Suddenly, a voice came from behind:

"Wen Jing, move your cave dwelling to the mountain."

Wen Jing was startled, quickly showed a joyful expression, and turned towards the depths of the hall, only to find the saint's figure had vanished, leaving it empty.

"Western Teachings is just too underwhelming—I thought I'd see a good show."

In the Holy Mother Palace, in Nüwa's small pavilion, the saintly lady lounged comfortably in the pool, watching the floating cloud mirror, though her interest had waned.

This Xiao Shou was fine in every way, except he was too cautious.

Why leave any face for Western Teachings?

Their demons and vicious beasts had committed countless evils, using incense and merit to wash away their karma—it was basically exploiting a loophole in the Heavenly Way.

Today, the Heavenly Way had fixed that loophole.

Young people these days, when they're on top, should seize the moment to be bold and assertive. Otherwise, when they lose the upper hand, they'll still get targeted.

Nüwa chuckled lightly, waved her hand to disperse the cloud mirror, and with a flick of her finger, summoned a book from which she had erased related memories—the "Little Folk Tales." She yawned.

It was time for him to come and create some new content.

Just then, the wind chimes beside the pavilion rang out, and Nüwa's lips curved slightly as she asked indifferently:

"Teacher, what brings you here?"

Outside the window, a gray shadow slowly formed into the outline of an old Daoist.

Nüwa laughed:

"I thought it was the teacher himself."

The gray shadow spoke:

"Western Teachings has suffered damage, and their teachings' fortune is broken. The rise of Fu should precede, and the opportunity for Western Teachings' great prosperity has arrived."

With that, the gray shadow quietly dissipated, leaving no trace.

Nüwa frowned in thought, then sighed softly, her figure disappearing.

On this day, while Li Changshou was busy with matters at Western Teachings, a layer of mist rose over the coastal area of East Divine Continent near South Jambudvipa.

It seemed as if an immortal mountain had flown in from the sea and settled within the mist. The mountain was dense with trees, brimming with spiritual energy, like a blessed cave heaven.

The mountain held many natural formations and cave dwellings, hiding various spiritual roots, wondrous herbs, and precious materials.

In an inconspicuous corner, a spiritual stone about three yards high stood quietly, its seven-colored glow fading away, with a faint spiritual fluctuation within.

In East Continent, Huaguoshan appeared.